Bioo Scientific has received an NIH grant for the development of anti-viral therapeutics.
When a virus uncoats its genome after it infects a cell, the cell theoretically has a golden opportunity to attack the unprotected genome before it starts the process of making viral-specific products that cause problems in the cell.
Researchers at Colorado State University have recently discovered a mechanism by which several viruses specifically suppress aspects of the cell in order to stabilise their nucleic acids to promote an efficient infection.
This finding has revealed a prospective weakness for viruses that has significant therapeutic potential.
In a partnership with Colorado State and the Rocky Mountain Regional Center of Excellence in Biodefense and Emerging Diseases, Bioo Scientific recently received a USD1.25m (GBP0.8m), five-year grant award to develop novel methodologies and compounds that will specifically overcome this viral suppression mechanism and allow cells to effectively attack viral nucleic acids.
'The treatments we will be developing could be used to treat infections with multiple viruses of biodefense significance,' said Dr Lance Ford, Bioo's vice-president for research and development.
'Theoretically, the therapeutics could even be effective against rapidly evolving viruses such as influenza,' he added.
